Every clean and well-kept kitchen deserves a sparkling cooktop. Unfortunately, drips, spills, and splatter often ruin a cooktop’s sheen. And if those stains are not removed as soon as possible, they become troublesome spots that turn acidic and attract insects, and with time turn into almost impossible-to-remove gunk. We have all been there, and some of us are still looking for ways to get our cooktops to shine as brightly as when they were purchased.
If you are facing a similar problem, then this article has everything you need to make your cooktop sparkle again. Whether you have a glass top range, electric cooktop, gas cooktop, or induction cooktop, this article will delve deep into the best cleaning techniques for each cooktop model.
In this article, we’ll cover:
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How often should a cooktop be cleaned?
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How to clean an electric cooktop
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How to clean a gas cooktop
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How to clean an induction cooktop
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How to clean a glass cooktop
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How to maintain your cooktop – cooktop cleaning tips
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FAQs about cooktop maintenance
How Often Should a Cooktop Be Cleaned?
If you can answer, “When was the last time you cleaned your cooktop?” then you certainly have an enviable kitchen. Most people tend to neglect cooktop cleaning because removing all the stuck-up grime, grease, and splatter is a tedious job. Others put it off due to a lack of time. While you let that spill or splatter sit there for weeks or even months, it is actually turning into a breeding ground for bacteria. To prevent the growth of microbes on your cooktop, it should be wiped out every day after cooking. Wait for the stove to cool down and spare yourself a few minutes to wipe away the grime before you serve your meal.
Apart from the top, which is more prone to splatter and drips, the front or control part also gets dirty and deserves a thorough cleaning once a week. The lower part of the cooktop should also be cleaned every 3 months or when you notice burnt-on spills or food stuck there. The simple way to identify if you need cleaning is by lifting the cooktop off the counter, and be careful to make sure it is not attached in any way with screws or gas lines, as some models do not have a sealant food and liquids can get there and you won’t notice.
How to Clean an Electric Cooktop
Cleaning the smooth and even surface of an electric cooktop can be a breeze if you have the right tools and supplies. These cooktops mostly have a ceramic glass surface, so you have to be careful not to damage it during the cleaning. We have developed a simple guide below to ensure your electric cooktop is shiny in minutes. Get ready with a microfiber cloth, soft sponge, paper towels, razor blade scraper, cleaning solution, and spray bottle.
A step-by-step guide to cleaning electric cooktops:
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Begin with a cooktop that has cooled down.
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Use a soft sponge to remove all the loose debris and dirt from the surface.
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Now use a razor-blade scraper specially designed to remove stubborn spots to clean the dried or burnt-on splatters. Hold the blade at a 45-degree angle from the surface and gently scrape away the dirt while applying uniform force. Remove the debris with a microfiber cloth.
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After removing these spots, spray the cleaning solutions generously across the surface, covering it completely.
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Let the solution sit for a while to loosen the stains, and then wipe them away using a microfiber cloth or sponge.
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Finally, wipe the surface clean after spraying water and dry the cooktop with a paper towel.
How to Clean a Gas Cooktop
Cleaning a gas cooktop can be messy as the surface is not uniformly even, and there are a few difficult-to-access areas. Spot cleaning on minor spills can go a long way in keeping a gas cooktop clean. If a daily wipe-down is not convenient for you, then squeeze in a few minutes every week to keep the cooktop spotless with this simple cleaning guide. The list of tools needed includes a paper towel, glass cleaner, dish soap, a scrub pad, an old toothbrush, a tub, and kitchen gloves (optional). Let’s begin.
A step-by-step guide to cleaning a gas cooktop:
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Start with a cool cooktop. Remove the grills to expose the surface.
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Clean the grills separately using dish soap or check the manufacturer's guide to use a cleaner better suited for the grills.
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Remove the metal tops of all the burners and wash them using dish soap and a sponge. Rinse and let them dry.
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Then use a paper towel to clean all the loose crumbs from the cooktop.
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Mix a generous amount of dish soap and water in the tub, dip the scrubber, and start scrubbing out the stubborn stains.
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Dip the toothbrush in the same water and gently scrub away the dirt from the burners and other difficult-to-reach areas on the surface.
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Spray glass cleaner on the knobs and the exposed areas of the stove and wipe them down with a paper towel.
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Now spray clean water on the surface and wipe away the soapy water and glass cleaner to get a spotless gas cooktop. Replace the burner tops and grills.
How to Clean an Induction Cooktop
Induction cooktops can elevate the look of your kitchen, but they can also make it look filthy when messy. The riskiest part is the ceramic glass surface that develops scratches easily. However, if you clean the induction cooktop properly, it will remain sparkling new for years. For this process, you will need a cleaning solution or a mix of vinegar (1 cup) and baking soda (1 tablespoon), a cooktop scraper, a scrub pad, a sponge, a wiping cloth, and an oven mitt (optional).
A step-by-step guide to cleaning induction cooktops:
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Wait for the cooktop to cool down a bit—it should be warm but not hot to the touch.
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Hold the razor-blade scraper at a 45-degree angle from the surface to remove all stubborn spots. Be careful not to leave any scratch marks.
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Now let the cooktop cool down completely and liberally spray the cleaning solution all over the surface.
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Let it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes to loosen the stains, then use a soft cloth to wipe away the grease and grime.
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For the remaining stains, you can use a scrub pad soaked in the cleaning solution to gently scrub away the dirt.
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Use a dry cloth to wipe away the solution until the polished surface appears.
How to Clean a Glass Cooktop
A shiny, sleek glass cooktop can transform the look of your kitchen, but it can become greasy and ugly with the slightest splatter or spill. If you leave that to clean up the next day, the spots will be hard to get rid of. This is why you need to clean glass cooktops every day after cooking or at least once a week. Here is an easy guide you can pull off in minutes to keep your glass cooktop shining for years. You will need white vinegar, baking soda, a spray bottle, a microfiber cloth, an old towel, cleaning pads, and a razor blade scraper.
A step-by-step guide to cleaning glass cooktops:
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Let the surface cool down completely, then spray white vinegar evenly over it. Cover all the stains and spots with vinegar.
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Now focus on the stubborn splatters and sprinkle baking soda on them, completely covering the spots.
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Soak the towel in hot water and cover the entire surface. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to melt away caked food from the surface.
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Remove the towel and use the cleaning pad to wipe away all the dirt.
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To get rid of troublesome spots, use a razor-blade scraper but make sure you don't leave any scratch marks.
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Wipe everything with a microfiber cloth and let the surface dry.
How to Maintain Your Cooktop – Cooktop Cleaning Tips
Maintaining your cooktop will not only make you the proud owner of a stylish kitchen but will also save you the hassle of extensive cleaning every week or month. Make a practice of keeping all the cleaning supplies handy, so you can remove any spills before they become incredibly stubborn to remove. Choose cookware wisely to ensure you get minimum spills. Also, handle food with care while cooking so it doesn’t splatter on the surface too often. Here is a simple checklist of cooktop cleaning tips to keep it spotless throughout the year.
Frequency of cleaning
Ideally, a cooktop, irrespective of its model, should be cleaned regularly after cooking. This prevents splatters from becoming caked or burnt onto the surface through repeated use of the cooktop. If you have a tight schedule, then a weekly cleaning can do the job, but that should be a full clean, not just spot cleaning. Make a habit of cleaning the entire stove, including the inner accessible part as well as the outer parts, like knobs, front panel, etc., every 3 months.
Supplies you need in the kitchen
You will need a few tools and supplies to make cooktop cleaning easier and faster. Be careful not to use any harsh chemicals or hard scrubbing materials on the cooktop. Harsh chemicals can leave ugly bleach marks if they react with the metal parts. Tough scrubbing material can lead to ugly scratch marks on cooktops, especially those with ceramic glass surfaces.
Keep a cooktop cleaner handy to remove any splatter before it develops into a troublesome, caked-on spot. You will also need a microfiber cloth, an old towel, a sponge or soft scrubber, a glass cleaner, and a paper towel. You can also mix equal parts vinegar and water or dish soap and water to prepare a cleaning solution at home.
Practice spot cleaning
Spot cleaning is the best way to keep your cooktop shining like new. It also allows you to escape the extensive weekly cleaning so you can spend more time with your family. Keep a spray bottle filled with a homemade cleaning solution of vinegar and water in the kitchen. The moment you notice a new spot or splatter on the surface, get ready to remove it.
Wait for the cooktop to cool down a bit so that the surface stays warm. This will prevent the splatter from caking up. Now spray the solution and gently wipe away the splatter with a cloth or sponge to keep the surface spotless.
Use a razor-blade scraper wisely
Razor-blade scrapers are modern tools designed to scrape away stubborn stains and spots from your cooktop. However, these blades can easily scratch the surface if you don’t hold them carefully or apply equal pressure while scrapping. Be gentle on the surface and go slow with the razor scraper. Always spray a cleaning solution on the troublesome spots before scraping them away. This will melt away the grime, making the job a lot easier and scratch-free.
FAQs About Cooktop Maintenance
How do you get tough stains off a cooktop?
Use a modern razor blade scraper for stubborn stains that won't go away with a cleaning solution or gentle scrub. Cover the spot completely with the cleaning solution and let it work for about 10 minutes to loosen the stain. Now hold the razor blade at a 45-degree angle from the surface and gently scrape off the spot. Wipe away the dirt with a cloth or paper towel.
How do you clean burnt glass on a stovetop?
Splatters and stains tend to stick firmly to a glass top if not removed regularly. This is because the heat of the surface burns them up with each use, making the spots hard to remove. Use a cleaning solution or a mix of vinegar and water to cover the spot. Scrub it away gently with a sponge. If it remains, use a razor blade scraper to get rid of the caked-on splatter.
What should not be used while cleaning a stovetop?
Never use harsh chemicals and hard scrubbing materials on your cooktop. Harsh chemicals can leave ugly stains on the surface if they react with the metal on the cooktop. Coarse scrubbers can easily cause scratch marks on the surface, spoiling the sheen of your cooktop.
How do you clean a stove top without scratching it?
Use a sponge or soft scrub pads to get rid of stains. Always start by spraying a cleaning solution on the cooktop after it has cooled down a bit and is not hot to the touch. Follow the user manual to find out what kind of cleaning solution and tools are safe for your cooktop.
Final thoughts
A stylish modern cooktop can change the look and feel of your kitchen. Cleaning is not tedious if you practice wiping off the stains every day. If you are looking to transform your kitchen with a brand new cooktop or upgrade the existing one check our huge collection of cooktops from the world’s top brands. You can find electric cooktops, gas cooktops, induction cooktops, and downdraft cooktops. And don’t forget to refer to the cooktop buying guide to choose the right one.
